The Victory Of Right-Wing Insurgents

Bachmann and DeMint may be content to leave Boehner and McConnell their titles and offices. But the latent power of Bachmann and DeMint shapes the environment in which Boehner and McConnell operate. And behind both Bachmann and DeMint are even more powerful forces: the big radio talk show hosts and Fox News – media organizations that thrive on anger and conflict.

When you hear John Boehner announce there can be “no compromise” with President Obama – when Mitch McConnell declares that his supreme legislative priority is to make Obama a one-term president – you are not hearing the voice of authentic radicalism. You are hearing the voice of second-hand radicalism. …